Periodic posts from the original 1911 First Edition of the Boy Scout HandbookOriginally Published by the Boy Scouts of America, 200 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY.

Thursday, November 8, 2012

Requirements for Becoming a First Class Scout, 1911

To become a first-class scout, the second-class scout must pass
the following tests:

1. Swim fifty yards.
2. Earn and deposit at least two dollars in a public bank.
3. Send and receive a message by semaphore, or American Morse, or Myer
alphabet, sixteen letters per minute.
4. Make a round trip alone (or with another scout) to a point at
least seven miles away, going on foot or rowing boat, and write a
satisfactory account of the trip and things observed.

5. Advanced first aid: Know the methods for panic prevention; what to
do in case of fire and ice, electric and gas accidents; how to help in
case of runaway horse, mad dog, or snake bite; treatment for
dislocations, unconsciousness, poisoning, fainting, apoplexy,
sunstroke, heat exhaustion, and freezing; know treatment for sunburn,
ivy poisoning, bites and stings, nosebleed, earache, toothache,
inflammation or grit in eye, cramp or stomach ache and chills;
demonstrate artificial respiration.

6. Prepare and cook satisfactorily, in the open, without regular
kitchen utensils, two of the following articles as may be directed.
Eggs, bacon, hunter's stew, fish, fowl, game, pancakes, hoe-cake,
biscuit, hardtack or a "twist," baked on a stick; explain to another
boy the methods followed.

7. Read a map correctly, and draw, from field notes made on the spot,
an intelligible rough sketch map, indicating by their proper marks
important buildings, roads, trolley lines, main landmarks, principal
elevations, etc. Point out a compass direction without the help of the
compass.

8. Use properly an axe for felling or trimming light timber; or
produce an article of carpentry or cabinet-making or metal work made
by himself. Explain the method followed.

10. Describe fully from observation ten species of trees or plants,
including poison ivy, by their bark, leaves, flowers, fruit, or scent;
or six species of wild birds by their plumage, notes, tracks, or
habits; or six species of native wild animals by their form, color,
call, tracks, or habits; find the North Star, and name and describe at
least three constellations of stars.

11. Furnish satisfactory evidence that he has put into practice in
his daily life the principles of the scout oath and law.

12. Enlist a boy trained by himself in the requirements of a
tenderfoot.

NOTE.--No deviation from above requirements will be permitted
unless
in extraordinary cases, such as physical inability, and the written
consent of the National Headquarters has been obtained by the
recognized local scout authority.